Study of wood surface pre-treatment by radio-frequency discharge plasma

An investigation was made of wood of the species oak (Quercus petraea), beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior) pre-treated using radio-frequency (RF) plasma in air at reduced pressure. Physical and chemical changes for all of the wood species were determined using measurements of water contact angles and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. The results confirmed an increase in the wood’s hydrophilicity/polarity in all cases, caused by an increase in –OH group concentration due to irradiation by RF plasma. The content of oxygen-containing functional groups after treatment by RF plasma significantly increased, and the water contact angles were diminished. FTIR-ATR spectroscopy confirmed that RF plasma modification of the surfaces of all investigated wood samples led to certain changes, which were also dependent on the time of plasma exposure.

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Opracowanie rekordu w ramach umowy 509/P-DUN/2018 ze środków MNiSW przeznaczonych na działalność upowszechniającą naukę (2019).